White - Chardonnay

The 2020 Custom Label Chardonnay shows crisp and refreshing fruit flavors of apricot and green apple.   The round, creamy mouthfeel is complemented by aromatic oak and the bright acidity of our cool climate fruit. Apple pie spices, cinnamon, and preserved lemon flavors combine with a hint of minerality for a long, rich finish.  We call it “sassy” – we hope you agree.  

This wine is marked by lively green apple and citrus flavors accompanied by zesty acidity, ending clean and complex. A nice refreshing Chardonnay for any occasion. Dehlinger has long been recognized for its Russian River Valley Chardonnays, which are known for their balance, fresh acidity, and unctuous flavor.

Dehlinger produces a single Estate Chardonnay bottling each vintage, originating from eight acres of Chardonnay vines planted between 1975 and 1988. These old vines, grown in the region’s classic Goldridge series soils, are grafted to the California heritage “Wente” clone, which produces small clusters and berries and has a notable minerality and almost oily viscosity.

Dehlinger’s Chardonnays are crafted using traditional techniques which preserve the flavor and elegance of the variety. At harvest, the grapes are picked at night, brought cold into the winery and “whole cluster pressed” to extract the highest quality juice. From there, the juice is fermented in French oak barrels using native yeasts. The wine gains further complexity through malolactic fermentation and a year of aging on the lees. Dehlinger has been bottling its Chardonnays “Unfiltered” since the late 1990s in order to capture the full flavor potential and most pleasing texture possible.

The 2020 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay offers subtle aromas of jasmine flower, citrus oil, green apple and pear. The elegant aromatics are complemented by fresh kiwi, lemon drop and green apple flavors. The fruit focused mid-palate is followed by subtle mineral notes and a hint of crystallized ginger in the finish.

“The 2020 Chardonnay Russian River Valley was 100% barrel fermented in French oak barrels, 26% new, and aged for 9.5 months. It slips slowly, cautiously out of the glass with crushed rocks and sea spray scents over a core of green and yellow apples and Bosc pears plus a hint of marzipan. Medium-bodied, the palate bursts with apple and pear flavors with a racy backbone and savory finish.” Wine Advocate – 91 Points

The Jayson Chardonnay 2019 has brilliant golden straw color and aromas of warm spice, tangerine, and sweet orange; intriguing tropical floral notes carry over onto the palate. Notes of ripe pear, apricot, and mango peel are accented by warm spice and rich caramel, for a wine that is both weighty and fresh. Editor’s Choice 94 points Wine Enthusiast.

One of La Crema’s most treasured estate vineyards, Kelli Ann, sits a stone’s throw away from the meandering and picturesque Russian River. Enjoying abundant sunshine, foggy mornings, and cool nights this vineyard yields wine with both dimension and concentration. On the nose hints of lemon curd, fresh nectarine, and nutmeg followed by flavors of Meyer Lemon, white peach, and hints of crème brûlée on the palate. Overall the 2017 vintage has great concentration and an elegant finish.

The Olema Chardonnay, made by Amici Cellars, is a blend of premier vineyards in Sonoma County. A portion of the blend was aged in barrels for rich, creamy texture with the remainder fermented in stainless steel, which preserves the bright, vibrant fruit and crispness. The 2019 Olema Chardonnay finds the ideal balance between freshness and weight. Aromas of lime custard, white peach and roasted grains carry into the palate laden with pear, pineapple and hints of baking spice. The medium-bodied wine has a lovely creaminess balanced by bright acidity and a strong fruit core, with a finish leaning more toward lemon zest, lime juice and a long, mouthwatering finish. 92 Points James Suckling

Rombauer Vineyards began producing Chardonnay in 1982. In 1990, the Rombauer family made their first Chardonnay from the Carneros region, where San Pablo Bay meets the southern end of Napa and Sonoma valleys. There, the cool climate and clay soils offer ideal conditions for growing superior Chardonnay with the Rombauer hallmarks — intense fruit flavors balanced by fresh acidity. On the nose, beautiful aromas of ripe yellow peach, Meyer lemon, and chamomile mingle together with hints of clove and vanilla. The peach, lemon, and vanilla spices continue onto the palate which is rich and concentrated, the flavors blending seamlessly supported by a creamy round mouthfeel. The lush back palate is lifted by both sweet fruit flavors and balanced acidity, ending with a lingering finish that will leave you wanting another sip.
July 11 release

Teeter Totter’s fourth Chardonnay release maintains the same characteristics it has come to be known for. The powerful pure taste of fruit paired with toast, honey and brioche. The full body palate finishes smoothly and leaves you lingering for more. The 2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay is terrific, with a fresh, lively yet textured style that’s a joy to drink. White peach, citrus blossom, honeysuckle and a kiss of brioche all emerge from this impeccably balanced Chardonnay that has a delicious saltiness and surprising length. It shines for its purity and elegance, and will keep for at least 4-5 years.

Ample rainfall in the spring recharged the soil profile and provided a strong start to the growing season. The weather during the summer featured consistent warmth and sunshine without any major heat spells. Cooler than average temperatures in August and September slowed the ripening process for the Trefethen Chardonnay 2020, providing long hang time and leading to complex flavor development. 

The growing season began early after a very dry winter that included only half of our typical rainfall. The summer was sunny and pleasant, our warmest since 2003, and the harvest began a few weeks earlier than usual. The white wines from this vintage feature concentrated flavors and our signature brightness on the palate.

This wine has fresh and vibrant aromas of sliced green apple, white peach, and honeysuckle with integrated notes of baked apple and puff pastry on the palate. It is round, layered, and complex with a refreshing acidity that leads to a full and lengthy finish.

The Trefethen Chardonnay pairs exceptionally well with Cioppino. The acidity cuts through the richness of the tomatoes, while the wine’s complexity complements the other ingredients, and its structure keeps the flavors balanced.